Protests when Israel's defense minister is fired

Published 6 November 2024 at 15.47

Foreign. Protests erupted in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant – a decision that caused a wave of discontent among both the public and political groups. BBC News reports.

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Netanyahu has explained that the decision to fire Yoav Gallant was due to a “crisis of trust” between the two, and that his confidence in Gallant had “eroded” in recent months.

Gallant is being replaced by Secretary of State Israel Katz, who is considered more hawkish on military strategy.

Gallant himself describes his resignation as the result of disagreement over three main issues, including his opinion that the remaining hostages can be returned from Gaza, but that concessions from Israel will be required.

In the streets after the announcement, thousands of Israelis protested and demanded that Netanyahu resign. Many of them are also calling on the new defense minister to prioritize a deal to release the hostages.

Protesters blocked roads and set fire to a highway in Tel Aviv, while a group representing the families of those still held captive by Hamas criticized the decision as an attempt to “sabotage” a possible solution to the hostage situation.

Yoav Gallant has had a turbulent working relationship with Netanyahu over the past year, including disagreements over Israel's war strategy in Gaza. In October 2023, before the Gaza war broke out, Netanyahu fired Gallant over political differences, but reinstated him after a large public outcry.

Gallant's departure comes at a sensitive political time, while Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right politicians to continue pushing bills that would allow ultra-Orthodox Israeli citizens to be exempt from military service — a proposal Gallant strongly opposed.